Serious Motivation for Connacht Duathlon series
The Ireland West Duathlon Series expects to draw serious motivation from fitness groups, sports clubs and the corporate sector for a 5 race series held in various venues around North Galway and Mayo.
Marrey Bikes Ballinrobe are sponsoring the series and will link up with Tri Lakes and Cunga Triathlon clubs; while Raceface event’s organizer will pull this series together.
It’s open to everyone, regardless of fitness ability with experienced Tri-athletes and people new to endurance sports willing to sign up.
Mayo Road safety will be promoting the 1.5m – sharing the road with cyclists- drive less live longer- keep active campaign.
Duathlon is a great sport as it involves running and cycling, to be good at it you have to be an all rounder, the crossover in fitness for the likes of Triathlon or Adventure racing is incredible and there are huge gains to be made in other sports as well.
This Series is unique to the West of Ireland and over the Winter/Spring months it will be a great way to keep fit while measuring your progress from event to event, the few weeks between events allows amble time to train on your weak areas so that there is no burnout from over competing.
The Series is spread over 3 months with five dates; each event the distance or terrain gets harder withthe aim is to build race fitness so that you are at peak performance for the Duathlon National age category Championship in early April or if your motivation is the Triathlon or Adventure race season. The first event is the Land of the Giants Duathlon Claremorris on December 28th, Tri Lakes Knockma, Caherlistrane January 30th, Ballinrobe February 13th, Ashford Cong Duathlon March 5th and finishes in Castlebar with Castlebar Adventure Duathlon on March 19th.
Each event will have its own prize fund and the overall IWDS series will have prizes for top ten overall based on results over the 5 events. We will also have a most improved Male and Female athlete in addition to the usual category prizes. There will also be a corporate company trophy which will be unique to our series.
A team prize for the most improved squad will also be presented and should keep fitness trainers and gym instructors on their toes.
To cater for both codes we also have a relay section (Runner/ Biker).
Check www.raceface.ie or www.runireland.com for entry details, each event also has its own Facebook page.
Sign up for the full series at Marrey bikes ONLY, Watson’s lane Ballinrobe and receive a Marrey bikes bottle and discount on full series but ONLY during the months of November and December.
Land of the Giants Duathlon (Claremorris ) December 28th
This Christmas event attracts people from near and far due to the time of year with people returning home for the festive season. It’s also a great opportunity to catch up with old friends while burning up unwanted festive calories.
The event starts in the heart of Claremorris town with a 5k run that takes participants out to Mc Mahon Park where they run around in the safe environment of the beautiful Land of the Giants walkway.
Stage 2 is an 18k cycle taking in the undulating roads of Mayfields and Carramore before returning via the Ballinrobe road.
Stage 3 is a 2k run around Clare Lake, then back to the finish line at the Square.
Prizes for the top 3 overall and age category prizes, there are always plenty of spot prizes up for grabs at prize giving.
Early bird closes on November 30th
Entry here https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=27292151 – Land of The Giants
Tri Lakes Knockma Duathlon Castlehackett January 30th
The first 5km run is a circular route of the iconic Knockma hill. The terrain has a mix of tar macadam and solid forest trail surface with beautiful scenery throughout. The first 2km are uphill with a 1km level section on top followed by a technical downhill decent into transition.
The Bike course is undulating on tar macadam surface. Competitors will exit transition and turn left onto the main road. There is a short climb at 1.5km and the course veers left at 3.5kms just past Caherlistrane GAA grounds where the competitors will have parked and registered in the morning. The course takes a left at 5.0km followed by a straight run to a sharp left at 9.8kms. A slight incline starts another straight stretch with a slight drag at 14.5kms and a decline to a left at 17.5kms back towards transition with a left turn into transition.
The final 2.6km run is a flat circular route with a mix of macadam, surfaced trail and solid forest trail. The finish of the race is 20 metres from the transition area so bike pickup is very convenient.
Trail runners are recommend but not essential.
This event is sanctioned by the governing body for triathlons and related events in Ireland, Triathlon Ireland (TI). Non TI members will One Day Licence is required to participate. If you’re not a member of Tri Ireland you’ll need to get a ODL from www.triathlonireland.com.
The event will be chip timed by Red Tag timing. Free parking is available in Caherlistrane GAA pitch 3km away and limited parking at the race start. Showers and changing facilities are available after the race at Caherlistrane GAA Club House.
Ballinrobe Duathlon February 13th
Now in its 7th year this Duathlon has attracted huge numbers the last few years and is pefect as an early season Goal, the flat fast course is suitable to all abilities and many people use it as a bench marker to test their form.
Starting at the top Bridge St, participants have a lovely fast downhill then turning right for a pan flat 5k route around Clongowla before returning to Transition at Abbey st.
The 18k cycle is a triangle shape loop that is flat and if not too windy can be very fast.
The final 3.5k run is a little bit technical as the Bowers walk has to be negotiated before finishing at Abbey St.
Prizes for the top 3 overall and the usual age category prizes, there are always plenty of spot prizes up for grabs so make sure to attend the prize giving.
Early bird closes on January 2nd 2016.
Entry Here https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=27823151
The Ashford Duathlon March 5th
Based in the picturesque village of Cong, this event features a 5Km run, 20Km cycle, 2Km.
The mixed terrain run course is flat and based in and around the grounds of the stunning Ashford Castle and Cong Woods.
The undulating out-and-back cycle route takes you along the shores of Lough Corrib.
The distances make the event suitable for all abilities, so if you’re training for Gaelforce or just fancy a challenge in magnificent surroundings this is the Duathlon for you it’s also part of the new Ireland West Duathlon Series one of the events on Triathlon Ireland National Duathlon Series.
Entry on www.triathlonireland.com
Castlebar Duathlon March 19th
With a new course using the greenway to Turlough and with the cycle based out around the Park/ Pontoon area this is a great course to test your fitness, as it’s a bit longer than usual Duathlon courses.
Anyone looking to participate in the All Ireland Duathlon championship should be using this event to hone their form.
The 5k run starts at Springfield using the new Greenway before returning to Transition via the Turlough road.
The 29k cycle takes in Turlough village before going off on a loop that hugs Lough Conn returning via the Pontoon road.
The last 5k run will be an out and back on the Greenway 5k.
Prizes for the top 3 overall and age category prizes, there is always plenty of spot prizes up for grabs so make sure to attend the prize giving.
Early bird closes on January 14th
Entry Here https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=27962851 – Castlebar Duathlon
